Discernment is a super power you get as a Christian. Discernment is part:

• your trained instinct, which can be broken
• part your brain, which you have the choice to lead
• part the Holy Spirit

Did you notice how discernment involves you? This can’t be offloaded to God for a burning bush moment or a message in the clouds.

I’ve collected a lot of wisdom about this over the years of how to discern your decisions, mostly because I’m older and have had a lot of opportunities to learn and I collect such things.

There isn’t one magical way we hear God’s voice. I’ve collected seven ways plus one.

• Following the way of Jesus.
• The Bible
• Circumstances
• Common sense
• Desire
• Prophetic words (Not “thus sayeth the Lord” words)
• Listening prayer

Following the way of Jesus will simply teach you wisdom. There is a reason why nearly everyone in the world respects Jesus. He lived a wise life. You have made the choice to surrender to Jesus so you are maturing into who you already are, growing wiser along the way.

Bible reading is a good and slow practice. This is less tarot cards and AI answers, more slow formation from Spirit-led conviction.  You create a habit of reading the Bible to get the whole perspective. What you are reading (and praying) now is usually getting you ready for decisions you have not yet faced.

Circumstances are random things that happen, right? Sometimes circumstances become arrows drawing your attention to something.

Common sense is also a part of this. Common sense is the wisdom to recognize what is reasonable, what is good, and what is likely to happen when you live in the real world with real people. It is paying attention to what you already know, thinking honestly about the consequences, and making a wise decision without needing a guarantee that you got it perfectly right.

Common sense isn’t the opposite of faith. Sometimes faith is trusting God enough to stop overthinking, use the wisdom he has already given you, and make a decision. You don’t have to wait for a burning bush when you already have a brain, your life team friends, some life experience, and a pretty good idea of what love requires.

What is your heart’s desire? My heart’s desire was never to be a nurse. My heart’s desire is to help people, which means I would have made a great nurse. But that desire was also to shepherd people to the way of Jesus. Both help people, both help the world. My heart’s desire pulled me in a way that led me to ministry over nursing. Your heart’s desire matters in discernment, don’t shut it down.

Sometimes you will get the gift of a prophetic word to help you make a discerning decision. Sometimes. When it happens, your soul knows it. This word is not something you build your life on, but it does give you an arrow of confirmation. If any prophetic word comes to you in King James Version language or “Thus sayeth the Lord” is the preamble, discern that this is not for you. I believe God speaks to awaken the soul. To do that the word is not authoritative or foreign.

Prayer is another way to pick up discernment, particularly listening prayer. Listening prayer is when you are slowing down to breathe and hear from God. Prayer is partnering with God. It is releasing supernatural power into situations we are powerless in. Prayer is a relational journey. Prayer is a good and slow practice. Linger in prayer for your wisdom.

Many who say they don’t have time to pray find time to be anxious. That’s worth noticing.

On top of these seven, the plus one is joy. Joy is a big part of a Bravester life. Joy leads our brains. Have you ever noticed in the Inside Out movies that Joy leads the brain?

These are all true about joy:

• Joy broadens our thinking.
• Joy quiets our survival mode. Joy keeps us connected to the command center of the brain.
• Joy helps us be more receptive. Joy softens you. Joy gives us the capacity to endure.
• Joy helps us regulate painful emotions. Joy is a supra-emotion because it can go on top of and connect with other emotions.
• Joy reminds us of God’s character. We are reminded that God is close, God is active, God does not abandon, God is for you, and much more.
• Joy helps us tolerate uncertainty.
• Joy gives us enough security to remain present while we wait.
• A joyful heart is better able to recognize God’s voice because it isn’t consumed by trying to protect itself.
• Joy helps us remain relational under stress. Joy does not exist outside of relationship.

Knowing all this and feeling the joy, you begin to ask yourself, “What is God inviting me into?”

Joy doesn’t automatically tell you which decision to make. But joy can change the way you approach the decision. When you’re less consumed by fear and self-protection, you may be more able to listen, think, recognize what is good and give yourself time.

People need to be involved in your discernment. People can help you with your gut thinking/instinct, your brain and what is Holy Spirit and what is anxiety. You weren’t designed to make every important decision alone. Discernment is not isolation disguised as spirituality. You need your gift of people.

Intentionally create your Life Team. Your Life Team is the friendships you purposely put into your life to help you grow. Here’s a handout about Life Teams I created for my church full of useful information.

Not everyone gets to speak into your life. By intentionally choosing a range of people, you have people who are for you. People who know you, love you, have permission to speak truth to you, and have demonstrated over time that they are for you.

Also true, some people will advise you wrongly. Your superpower of discernment will help you discern this also.

Have you been using AI to help you with discernment? May I challenge that practice?

AI answers every question instantly. God uses time. The hard work of thinking is a part of the discernment process. AI takes out this hard work of thinking. AI is also training you to expect immediate and confident answers–and loves to please you. Actual real life teaches you through time and wisdom, often from real people who will ask for time before they give you wisdom.

Discernment is bringing all these things into conversation. What does the way of Jesus teach me? What does the Bible say? What do the circumstances tell me? What does common sense suggest? What do I desire? What wisdom have trusted people offered? What am I hearing in prayer? And what happens when I pay attention to joy?

These voices won’t always agree immediately. That’s why discernment takes time. You aren’t looking for one magical sign that settles everything. You’re learning to recognize wisdom, test what you think you’re hearing, asking your gift of people, and trusting God to take the next faithful step.

Discernment isn’t about finding a magical way to hear God’s voice so you never make a wrong decision. It’s about learning to recognize wisdom as you grow in your relationship with God.

You wish to be omniscient so you don’t have regrets. God wishes for you to grow in your trusting relationship with him.

Your life of faith isn’t 100 percent confidence. It isn’t 100 percent peace. It isn’t 100 percent upward growth. It’s a lot of imperfect progress. Discernment is not about guaranteeing you’ll get it right. It’s about trusting God enough to take the next faithful step without a guarantee. That is a brave decision–made with lots of good input and time.

For a lot more of this collected wisdom, download this handout I created for my church. It’s my collection of wisdom that I keep adding to.